BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of January 23, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of January 16, 2007.

2.       Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 for February 10 and March 17, 2007.

3.       Resolution 2007-04 amending the 2006 Work Plan of the Community Strategic Plan.

4.       Resolution 2007-06 amending Credit Card Policy.

5.       Contract renewal with Bryce McCollum, PsyD to provide mental health crisis on call services.

6.       Letter authorizing temporary employee for Cooperative Extension Office.

 

Sealed bids were opened for two 50-cubic yard drop boxes with retractable lids and one 39-cubic yard recycle container with center divider for Solid Waste.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to forward the following bid to Solid Waste for review and recommendation:

§         Wastequip Washington, Ridgefield, WA                    $28,288.69

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to award the bid for custodial services for the Courthouse building to Clean World Maintenance, Inc. of Vancouver, WA for the total amount of $2,250 per month.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to set a policy that written testimony or comment to be considered at a public hearing by the Board of Commissioners must be received by the Clerk of the Board by noon on the Thursday preceding the date of the public hearing.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on Public Works, Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and equipment and rental revolving fund.

 

Commissioner Tolfree joined the meeting at approximately 10:35 a.m.

 

John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator reported on monitoring of Mount St. Helens, severe weather in November and December, Homeland Security Investment Justification workshops, Community Emergency Response Team program, National Incident Management System compliance, school preparedness, Self Defense Kit training, Emergency Operations Center progress, pandemic flu, and search and rescue.

 

Dolores Morgan, Interim Counseling Center Director reported on the Human Services Advisory Board, grants, and services and programs.

 

The Board met with Nancy Ryke Gifford Pinchot District Ranger and Neil Oliver, Gifford Pinchot District Engineer for an annual meeting, as required in the Wind River Nursery (WRN) Conveyance Agreement, to discuss shared infrastructure.  Neil Oliver presented FY2006 Wind River water and septic system maintenance costs and an estimate for CY 2007 water and septic system maintenance.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve FY2006 Wind River water and septic system maintenance costs and an estimate for CY 2007 water and septic system maintenance, as presented.  Nancy Ryke presented highlights of draft proposed changes to the Special Use Permit for use of the water and septic system, Collection Agreement to establish amounts chargeable for shared infrastructure systems, Memorandum of Understanding clarifying the intention of the parties regarding WRN site, Memorandum of Agreement regarding historic properties, and Participating Agreement for Skamania County Work Crew Program that have all expired and need be renewed.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:33 a.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2007-01 extending the moratorium for an additional six-months on the acceptance and processing of land divisions creating lots of less than 10 acres, on the construction/placement of more than one single-family dwelling per legal lot of record, and the acceptance and processing of State Environmental Policy Act checklists related to forest practice conversions for any parcel located within the area generally known as the Swift Subarea of Skamania County.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of four petitions and letters from the following: Mary Sauer, Jerry Sauer, Grant and Marlene Hansen, Kyle Feeder, Gayle Feeder, Advanced Planning Solutions, John and Lauren Niemer, Dave Creagan, Lee Shefchek, Brad Barnes, Department of Ecology, and a report on ELUL Section Funded Internships submitted by Jerry Sauer.  Commissioner Pearce requested citizens present to submit all written comments to be considered by the Board, explained the process to adopt an amendment to Comprehensive Plan A to create the Swift Subarea Plan, and the need to extend the moratorium to allow for completion of the Plan and to complete the Critical Areas Update Process.  Comments from the public included both support for and opposition of the moratorium extension, concern for financial issues for developers, suggested language amendments to the proposed ordinance, concern for fish and wildlife due to development, concern regarding storm water, fire danger, water/sewer, safety issues, no road maintenance/snow plowing by Forest Service, and the need to protect the infrastructure.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to accept a magazine article from Bruce Barnes as written comment.  Commissioner Pearce voted nay.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried to accept written comments from Mary Repar.  Commissioner Pearce voted nay.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2007 allow the Board to read written comments and for Board deliberations.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 and reconvened at 3:13 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 3:13 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss public health fee increases for personal health, Fair Labor Standards Act, Senior Services reorganization information request and transportation services, and cable franchise renewal, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 and reconvened at 7:15 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

 

The Board held a development forum at Underwood Community Center, 951 Schoolhouse Road to discuss economic development in the Eastend of Skamania County.  The Board invited the public and local businesses in the Eastend of the County to provide information on their existing and proposed economic development.  Representatives from Broughton Mill site development, Columbia Land Trust, and World Steward presented information on their existing and proposed developments.  Comments and/or concerns from the public regarding the Broughton Mill site development, included public access to trails, permanent housing, fire protection, water/sewage, traffic/parking, wages for jobs, protection of resources, property taxes, and water access.  Commissioner Tolfree gave a brief overview of other developments in the Eastend, which included White Salmon Vineyard, Gorge Crest Vineyards/Gorge Crest Farms, Underwood Gardens, Phillip Jones Winery, and Chenowith Farm.  Comments regarding other developments included conflicting uses with neighboring properties, traffic/road maintenance, noise, and weddings at wineries.  Commissioner Pearce gave an update on efforts to restore the Forest County Safety Net and potential impacts to the County budget.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:20 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss David Waymire property in Stabler, FEMA request, and the Howell property, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss Hearing Examiner request for proposals, Title 16 revisions (SEPA), revisions to Titles 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 21A, 22, and 23 to include the Hearing Examiner, and Five Oaks, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss energy use, beer garden, janitorial contract, and Fair Board contract, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2007 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:45 p.m. until 2:25 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with representatives from the Mosquito Control District to discuss spraying, treatment, Mosquito District boundaries, treatment outside boundaries, contracting for services, and the need to purchase a sprayer, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Assessor to discuss County property, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2007 and reconvened at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Sheriff to discuss 911 and Emergency Management Services, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Tolfree joined the meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:00 a.m. until 10:05 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works and the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss facilities, Piper Road, and Salmon Falls Road, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2007 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve 13th month vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2006 in the total amount of $770,110.42.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending January 25, 2007 in the total amount of $4,848.39.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign a letter to Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division designating Dave Brown, Sheriff/Emergency Management Director as the Applicant Agent and John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator as the alternate representative for Skamania County to obtain federal and/or state emergency or major disaster assistance funds.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2007 and reconvened at 12:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 12:05 p.m. until 12:20 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON